MILPITAS CALENDAR for the week of July 26, 2013

Milpitas Post Staff

Posted:
07/24/2013 04:18:19 PM PDT

Updated:
07/25/2013 11:34:36 AM PDT

Emergency call for blood donors

The American Red Cross has issued an emergency request for platelet and blood donors of all blood types to roll up a sleeve and give because many fewer donations than expected were received in June and early July.

Nationwide, donations through the Red Cross were down approximately 10 percent in June, resulting in about 50,000 fewer donations than expected. The shortfall is similar to what the Red Cross experienced in June 2012.

The Red Cross urgently needs donations to ensure an adequate blood supply is available for patients all summer long.Ê Each day, the American Red Cross Northern California Blood Region needs approximately 300 donors to step forward and give blood. Eligible donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially encouraged to give. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.

There is also an urgent need for platelet donations. Platelets a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients must be transfused within five days of donation, so it's important to have a steady supply of platelets on hand.

To donate blood, simply call 1 (800) RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

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A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.ÊIndividuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.Ê

"Proof" at Ohlone

The philosopher Seneca said, "There is no greatÊgenius without some touch ofÊmadness." Decide this for yourself as you witness a story of difficulty, vulnerability and unpredictability of love, trust and genius in the Ohlone Summer Repertory Theatre production of "Proof," directed by Michael Navarra. There will be an 8 p.m. performance this evening (July 26) or Saturday, July 27 and a final 2 p.m. show Sunday, July 28.

This Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broad-way drama follows the daughter of a recently deceased mathematician who struggles to prove the authorship of a landmark mathematical proof discovered among her father's papers while also dealing with her father's legacy of genius and the mental illness that took his life. It is being brought to life through veteran actors Jessica Bettencourt, Stacey Lynn Bell, Daniel Carpenter and Jim Jones under Navarra's direction.

Navarra is a professional producer, director and actor in both theater and film and is a member of SAG, AFTRA and Actor's Equity.

The cast of "Proof" brings their fair share of talent and experience to the Ohlone College production. Betten-court plays the lead role of Catherine. Bettencourt has appeared in multiple short films and web series since she moved to Los Angeles after graduating from Santa Clara University. She studied theater and film acting at the Art of Acting Studio in Hollywood where she recently led the cast of Eve Ensler's "Necessary Targets" as J.S. An alumnae of Ohlone College, she appeared in three full productions at Ohlone before transferring.

Jones, well known for his Shakespearean roles, has been active in the North Bay theater community for more than 30 years. Jones won the 2012 "Arty" Award for Supporting Actor from Solano County for the drama "Distracted." He portrays Robert, Catherine's father.

Carpenter was a finalist for the prestigious Irene Ryan Scholarship for his performance in the Ohlone Theatre Department's "Dog Sees God" last year at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Portraying mathematician Harold Dobbs, this is his third full production at Ohlone College.

Also a finalist for the Irene Ryan Scholarship for "Dogs Sees God," Ohlone alumnus Bell has performed with many theater companies in the Bay Area for more than 20 years. She plays Claire, Catherine's sister from New York.

Audiences will also experience sound and lighting designs of Ohlone College students who have developed their skills in the entertainment lighting and design technology program.

Tickets are $12 each for students and seniors and $15 for adults, and parking is $2 per vehicle. Group discounts are available. For more information or to purchase tickets, reach the box office at (510) 659-6031 or smithcenter.com.

Summer Reading Program

Santa Clara County Library District staff are fighting back against the all-too common "summer slide," a loss of learning that many students experience when classes are out, with their children (through 13 years old), teen (14 to 18) and adult Summer Reading Program that will run through Aug. 31, themed "Dig Into Reading!" and "Beneath The Surface." There is also an option for those in the "tween" area (sixth through eighth grade) to sign up for the children or teen program.

Those interested in participating, are encouraged to sign up online at sccl.org or Milpitas Public Library, 160 N. Main St., as one of eight library locations across the district taking sign-ups.

As part of the program, upcoming children's activities at the Milpitas branch include:

-Read and reel: Get a copy of "Treasure Island" by R.L. Stevenson in paper, ebook or audio format from the Children's Help Desk or library district catalog (sccl.org) and read it before watching the movie 3 p.m. Friday, July 26 in the Activity Room

-Certificate, free paperback book pickup: Drop in between 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1 through Saturday, Aug. 10 to pick up your certificate and free paperback book for completing the program. All certificates and prizes need to be picked up no later than Saturday, Aug. 31.

-Read and reel: Get a copy of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll in paper, ebook or audio format from the Children's Help Desk or library district catalog (sccl.org) and read it before watching the movie, by P.L. Travers, 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9 in the Activity Room

As part of the program, upcoming teen activities at the Milpitas branch include:

-Create a bookmark: Get your designs noticed. Design and enter a bookmark with the theme "Seek the Unknown, Teen Read Week 2013" and have it seen at all the district libraries. Forms are available in hard copy or online at sccl.org/teens. Turn it in to your local library by Aug. 31. Winners will be notified by Sept. 21. One entry per person. Multiple winners will be selected and all winning bookmarks will be reproduced for distribution, with recognition to the artist, during Teen Read Week 2013, Oct. 13-19.

-Scavenger hunt: anytime. Remember to pick up your reading club packet at a library branch and hunt down answers to the scavenger hunt on the new teen website at sccl.org/teens.

As part of the program, upcoming adult activities at the Milpitas branch include:

-"The Enneagram of Personality": 7 p.m.Ê Tuesday, Aug. 13. Join Liz Blackford, a certified Enneagram trainer, and discover how the Enneagram identifies the full spectrum of human personality traits. Begin to understand why we do the things we do and learn to apply your strengths to real-life situations. This free lecture will be held in the library's auditorium.

For directions or more information about the Summer Reading Program or any of the activities, call (408) 262-1171, extension 3616.

"Hairspray"

Center Stage Performing Arts is presenting the Broadway musical "Hairspray" based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, through Aug. 3 at the Milpitas Community Center, located at 457 E. Calaveras Blvd. It is based on the book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman.

Performances are scheduled:

-7 p.m. today (July 26)

-2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 27

-2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 28

-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2

-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3.

Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $12 each if purchased at the door. Buy tickets now at cspatickets-es2.eventbrite.com or purchase them 1.5 hours prior to each show (if there are tickets still available). Tickets will also be available for purchase from cast members.

School applications

Milpitas Christian School is accepting applications for the 2013-14 academic year. Applications for students from preschool (2 years old) through eighth grade are available online at milpitaschristian.org. For more information or to schedule a campus tour, contact the school office at (408) 945-6530, extension 125. Classes for grades kindergarten through eight are located at 3435 Birchwood Lane, San Jose. The preschool is located at 1000 S. Park Victoria Drive, Suite 100, and can be reached at extension 702.

Milpitas Christian School recently received the highest level of accreditation from both the Association of Christian Schools Inter-national and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. They are celebrating their 40th year of "Educating the Whole Child."

"Truth-Compassion-Tolerance"

Art is timeless and universal when it inspires and uplifts the heart and mind. Such works of art move people toward greater wisdom and understanding. The Art of Truth-Compassion-Tolerance International Exhibition is an extraordinarily moving, intimate and inspiring exhibition detailing both an inner spiritual life and an outer human rights tragedy. After touring more than 40 countries and 200 cities worldwide, it is at the Milpitas Public Library, 160 N. Main St., through July 31.Ê

This exhibition portrays the manifestation of good and evil in the context of a modern human atrocity: 14-year brutal persecution by the Chinese Communist Party to Falun Dafa a peaceful meditation practice which is rooted in traditional Chinese culture but has been banned and persecuted since 1999 in China. Realistic oil paintings and Chinese watercolors from renowned artists feature themes that symbolize the ideals of goodness and courage that have inspired Falun Dafa practitioners to stand up to brutality.

For more information, visit FalunArt.org

St. John enrollment

St. John the Baptist School is accepting applications for the 2013-14 year. Applications for students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade are now available at the school office and may be downloaded by visiting sjbs.org. For more information or to schedule a campus tour, contact the school office at (408) 262-8110.Ê St. John the Baptist School is located at 360 S. Abel St. in Milpitas.

Back to School Drive

Milpitas-based Family Giving Tree has launched its 18th annual Back to School Drive, which provides backpacks filled with school supplies to Bay Area low-income children.

This year, the non-profit organization is emphasizing the need for learning tools that support science, technology, engineering and math commonly referred to as STEM education such as pencils and pens, erasers, rulers, graph paper, scientific calculators, protractors and USB drives.

As in the past, the Back to School Drive will provide backpacks and learning tools to young students who have been identified by schools in the four primary counties Family Giving Tree serves: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda and San Francisco.

A list of participating companies and organizations may be found at bit.ly/12XyLqw. Participating retail businesses may be found at bit.ly/ZX7ea0.

Companies, organizations and groups interested in leading a drive for the 2013 Back to School Drive may register at familygivingtree.org, or call (408) 946-3111, extension 226.

Kindergarten enrollment

California Education Code states that a child who will reach the age of 5 on or before Oct. 1, 2013 is eligible to attend kindergarten for the 2013-14 school year. If your child is not 5 years old on or before that time, he will not be eligible to attend a public school kindergarten. However, those who turn 5 years old between Oct. 2 and Dec. 2 are eligible for transitional kindergarten for the 2013-14 school year. Transitional kindergarten is the first year of a two-year program. In year one, students attend a program that provides the basis for a successful transition into a traditional kindergarten program. The focus is all four domains of early childhood development: social, emotional, physical and cognitive.

Kindergarten and transitional registration for the Milpitas Unified School District continues at all elementary schools. For more information or to receive a packet, visit musd.org/ cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1217983977360, stop by any of the nine elementary schools or visit the main office at 1331 E. Calaveras Blvd.

Mandatory meeting for MHS fall athletes

Milpitas High School Athletics will be having its mandatory fall parent/athlete meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7 in the large gymnasium of the school, located at 1285 Escuela Parkway. This meeting is for parents and athletes who intend to try out for a fall sport at Milpitas High School.

Items covered will include the Milpitas High Athletic Code of Conduct, waiver cards, Parent's Code of Ethics, transportation fees and information about tryouts. Parents and athletes will also meet with the coach of their specific team for more information.

A parent or a representative and the athlete must attend the meeting on Aug. 7 in order for an athlete to participate in athletic contests. Parents may sign a waiver to have a representative take their place. The representative may be a family member who is 18 or older and graduated from high school, or an adult, who does not need to be a family member, who is 25 or older. No waivers are needed for the athlete.

There will be a make-up meeting (date and time to be arranged), for all parents and athletes who cannot attend the Aug. 7 meeting. Athletes will not be allowed to participate in an athletic contest until they attend.

All athletes must have a physical before they may try out for or participate on any California Interscholastic Federation sport. ÊMilpitas High School will be offering physicals 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8 in the school's small gym for $25 each. The Milpitas High School physical form must be used whether having a physical on site or with the athlete's own physician. Forms are available at milpitasathletics.com under the "Links/Forms" tab.

All athletic paperwork is due by the close of physicals (8:30 p.m.) Aug. 8 in order to participate on Aug. 16 or 19. After that date there will be a three-day waiting period, after the paper work is turned in, before an athlete may start participating. Paperwork can be turned in to the school's counseling or athletic offices, or to any Milpitas High fall sport coach. All athletic paperwork, including the physical form, must be obtained online at milpitasathletics.com.

Fall sports at Milpitas High School include boys and girls cross country, varsity and frosh/soph football, girls varsity and junior varsity tennis, and girls varsity, JV and freshman volleyball. For more information on the start date and time, visit milpitasathletics.

A $100 "Fair Share" athletic donation is requested from all players per sport. The "Fair Share" donation form must be submitted prior to the athlete being allowed to participate in athletic contests, regardless if a donation is submitted. ÊThe donation is essential for Milpitas High to continue to provide athletic teams for its students, officials said.

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